The mercury dips, rain starts to fall more often and leaves metamorphose from a demure green to riotous colors.

Why? The change of color each autumn involves a complex chemical process as trees prepare for the coming winter.

Throughout the growing season, chlorophyll is produced constantly. Then, as autumn starts and nights turn longer, chlorophyll production slows and then stops. The process allows the other colors in a leaf’s palette —brilliant golds, oranges and reds — to appear.

The state Department of Ecology is in the process of updating a permit needed for the use of herbicides used to control weeds around or near water.

The permit requires that specific actions be taken to protect lakes, rivers, wetlands and marine waters when herbicides are used near those waterways. The permits help state and local governments manage noxious plants, such as spartina and loosestrife.

A different permit, the Aquatic Plant Algae Management Permit, covers the treatment of weeds actually within water.

Issaquah School District teams wrapped up their regular seasons last week in a final tuneup for the Oct. 20 KingCo Conference Championship meets.

The Issaquah and Skyline high school teams will enter the KingCo 4A meet at Seattle’s Lincoln Park. The boys varsity race starts at 2:45 p.m. and the girls varsity race is set for 3:15 p.m. The top eight teams and 40 individuals advance to a bi-district meet Oct. 29 at Lincoln Park.

Liberty High School competes in the KingCo 3A meet at Lake Sammamish State Park. The girls varsity race begins at 2:45 p.m. and the boys varsity race starts at 3:15 p.m. The top four teams and 20 individuals advance to the Sea-King District 2 meet Oct. 27 at Lake Sammamish State Park.

Deweirdt noted that she and Wilson work on shots like the winning one at practice often. Wilson feeds a well-aimed chip-shot from about 30 yards out and Deweirdt just seems to find it and time the hard shot on goal.

“I just knew she was going to be there,” Wilson said about watching her free kick land in just the right spot for her teammate forward.

Every year Remodeling magazine gives its list of the worst ideas for remaking your home especially in light of resale value. Many people think large-scale remodels or additions will increase their property’s value. The magazine says that’s not always the case.

Schaer has earned another council term

The choice in Issaquah’s only contested City Council race is stark.

Incumbent Joshua Schaer articulates a clear vision for the future. Schaer has fashioned a reputation as a councilman unwilling to yield just for the sake of another unanimous vote. Such independence is valuable for a council member and even better for the citizens he represents.

Schaer also brings a broad understanding of the tiny details of city policy — a critical factor for elected officials as the council delves into the Central Issaquah Plan, a medical marijuana ordinance and other hefty issues in the year ahead.

Schaer deserves credit for pushing the first-on-the-Eastside food-packaging ordinance to ban Styrofoam takeout containers. In his second term, however, he needs to lead the charge to increase compliance with the ordinance.

Challenger TJ Filley initially built a single-issue campaign around the pedestrian bridge across Interstate 90 at state Route 900. Though Filley deserves praise for attracting attention to the late and over-budget project, the continued focus on the now-completed bridge is counterproductive.

Filley needs more local experience, while Schaer has earned a second term.

Before returning ballots to meet the Nov. 8 deadline, review where Issaquah City Council and Issaquah School Board candidates stand on important issues.

Council candidates Joshua Schaer and TJ Filley answered questions about numerous issues facing Issaquah in the years ahead. (Answers had to be 25 words or less.) Schaer is seeking another term on the seven-member council. Filley is focusing on transportation issues in the campaign.

The Liberty High School football team fell out of a tie for second place in the KingCo Conference 3A/2A standings and possibly saw its state playoffs end Oct. 14 when the Patriots fell to visiting Mercer Island, 32-10.

Liberty entered the contest tied with Mercer Island and Mount Si for second place. With the loss the Patriots, 3-2 in the league, dropped to fourth place in the standings. Mercer Island and Mount Si, which defeated Juanita, 28-21, Oct. 14, remained tied for second place with 4-1 records. Top-ranked Bellevue, 5-0, stayed in first place.

The top three teams in the league advance to the preliminary round of the state playoffs next month.